Unit 7: Cross-Cultural Communication Prepared by Building Community Trust: Improving Cross-Cultural Communication in the Criminal Justice System

Where are we headed in this unit? Identify challenges to effective cross- cultural communication Develop strategies and skills for improved cross-cultural communication

Culture Shapes Attitudes Punctuality Child rearing Dress Education Discipline Importance of Families Government Authority Figures Courts Punishment Domestic Violence

Culture Shapes Behavior Communication style Interactions with others Decision-making paradigms: –Individual vs. Family

CJS Culture Visible: Structure Jargon/language Communication style: cross-examination Rules Adversarial Process Suits/clothing Invisible: Motivations Values Preferences Iceberg

Other Aspects of CJS Culture: Culture “…affects how we analyze, judge, and interpret information, behavior, and perceptions about behavior.” Analytical - Logic Precedent - Reliance on Facts Jargon + Thought Process, Decision-making

Cultural Collisions Occur when individuals or groups with different traditions, world views, values, or languages come together in a situation in which neither side is able to view the situation from the perspective of the other.

Sender: Develops message Decodes message Receiver: Encodes message Receives message

40-60% loss of meaning

Barriers to effective cross- cultural communication: Assumed similarity Nonverbal Communication Language Tendency to evaluate Preconceptions and stereotypes

Assumed Similarity Assumption that: Words and gestures have a set meaning Message sent is received

Modes of communication: Telling (ineffective) Asking (obtain information, validate) Showing (increases retention, understanding) Listening (helps form good relationships, encourages others to be open with us) Direct vs. indirect Deeply embedded

Non-verbal communication: Verbal: –Word choice –Content of speech –7% influence on the message received Non-verbal: –Facial-postural (eye contact, facial expressions, posture, gestures, proximity) –Vocal (tone, volume, pitch, voice quality, rate of speaking –93% influence

Caution in interpretation: Averting eyes or refusal to make eye contact: –Respect? –Shifty or untrustworthy? –Rude or aggressive?

Strategies: Look for behavioral and contextual clues: –e.g., how others are responding to our style of communication Ask for feedback and clarification –Don’t assume message sent = message received

Verbal language Words with multiple meanings: –400 common words have 14,000 different meanings Nuance, idioms, slang Assumptions about: –Accent (intelligence) –Pacing/timing (aggressiveness, intelligence)

Bridging cross-cultural barriers Clarify Be self-aware Do not act on stereotypes Listen with respect Increase culture- specific awareness Treat each person as unique individual Continue to learn

Bridging cross-cultural barriers Tolerate ambiguity Establish trust Show concern and empathy Be aware of non- verbal cues Listen for hidden meanings Avoid double- entendre Be patient - with yourself and others

Why is cross-cultural communication so challenging? Culture shapes how we think—how we see, hear, and interpret world Multiple meanings Language interpretation opens door to misunderstanding

Cognitive Constraints Frames of reference or world views that provide backdrops against which new information is compared/inserted

Behavior Constraints Each culture has rules about proper behavior which affect verbal and nonverbal communication. For example: Eye Contact Overt discussion or “talk around” an issue Physical proximity

Emotional Constraints Different cultures regulate display of emotion differently. Emotional when debating issues - yell, cry, exhibit anger, fear, frustration, other feelings openly Keep emotions hidden, exhibiting or sharing only rational/factual aspects of situation